Letters -- Published Dec. 19, 2013

The fiasco surrounding lifelong Stocktonian Matthew Davies is not, at its root, an issue regarding medical marijuana - the pros and cons of which can be argued interminably.

The fiasco surrounding lifelong Stocktonian Matthew Davies is not, at its root, an issue regarding medical marijuana - the pros and cons of which can be argued interminably.

It is in actuality a sad demonstration of the duplicity of the current federal administration.

President Barack Obama has many times stated unequivocally that he is opposed to federal intervention into state matters regarding marijuana.

U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner does seem to reflect our president's stance on capitalism. His main concerns seem to be: Davies was too good at what he did, reinvested profits back into the business and seemed to be operating for "sheer profit."

This, while acknowledging "... a level of confusion with what is and isn't legal under state versus federal laws."

No doubt within the context of judicial complexities the conclusion of this matter may be flaunted as a feather in the cap of the U.S. attorney; however, the true character of Matthew Davies is made clear by the stoic acceptance of his fate - which rests primarily upon a heartfelt concern for how his young children will be affected.

We suggest little Rowan and Rebecca have no reason to feel any way other than proud of their loving father.

Ginny and Frank Lucas

Stockton

Regarding Michael Fitzgerald's Dec. 15 column, not only should medical marijuana be made available to patients in need, but adult recreational use should be regulated. The days when our federal government can get away with confusing the drug war's tremendous collateral damage with a comparatively harmless plant are coming to an end.

If the goal of marijuana prohibition is to subsidize violent drug cartels, prohibition is a grand success. The drug war distorts supply and demand dynamics so that big money grows on little trees.

If the goal is to deter use, marijuana prohibition is a catastrophic failure. The United States has double the rate of marijuana use as the Netherlands, where marijuana is legal. The criminalization of Americans who prefer marijuana to martinis has no basis in science.

The war on marijuana consumers is a failed cultural inquisition, not an evidence-based public health campaign.